Abstract The device for adjusting the lateral distance between a pair of parallel transfer bars of a transfer feeder for a transfer press comprises clutch means arranged in the driving means for driving toward and away a pair of slides slidably mounting thereon the transfer bars, respectively, so as to transfer work pieces to the succeeding working positions and separate driving means for driving the slides independently of the first mentioned driving means when the latter is disabled by the clutch means, so that the lateral distance is adjusted by driving the slides by the separate driving means while the first mentioned driving means is disabled. After disabling the separate driving means and the clutch means is engaged, the press is ready for operation with the newly adjusted lateral distance set between the slides and, hence, between the transfer bars. A set of limit switches are provided which cooperate with the driven member of the clutch means and operably connected to switching means of the clutch means and a clutch for the separate driving means so that the lateral distance between the slides can be automatically set by the actuation of the selected one of the limit switches which, when actuated by the driven member of the clutch means, actuates the switching means so as to engage the first mentioned clutch means while the clutch for the separate driving means is disabled after the clutch means has been disengaged and the slides have been driven by the separate driving means through the clutch.
A device for adjusting the lateral distance between a pair of parallel transfer bars of a transfer feeder for a transfer press comprising: a. a pair of slides, said transfer bars being mounted on said slide, said pair of slides being a predetermined distance apart; b. first drive means for driving said transfer bars toward and away from each other in a reciprocating motion in synchronism with the operation of said press for successively transferring work pieces to succeeding work positions; c. second drive means for resetting said predetermined distance; d. coupling means connected to said pair of slides; and e. first engaging means for engaging and disengaging said first drive means and said coupling means from each other wherein said first drive means and said coupling means are engaged for reciprocating said transfer bars and said first drive means and said coupling means are disengaged from each other when said second drive means resets said predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for adjusting the lateral distance between a pair of parallel transfer bars of a transfer feeder for a transfer press comprising: a. a pair of slides, said transfer bars being mounted on said slide, said pair of slides being a predetermined distance apart; b. first drive means for driving said transfer bars toward and away from each other in a reciprocating motion in synchronism with the operation of said press for successively transferring work pieces to succeeding work positions; c. second drive means for resetting said predetermined distance; d. coupling means connected to said pair of slides; and e. first engaging means for engaging and disengaging said first drive means and said coupling means from each other wherein said first drive means and said coupling means are engaged for reciprocating said transfer bars and said first drive means and said coupling means are disengaged from each other when said second drive means resets said predetermined distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises: a. a first driven gear; b. a shaft; c. first and second pinions mounted on said shaft, one of said pinions engaging said first driven gear; d. first and second racks, each of said racks being coupled to one of said pinions and to one of said transfer bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said first engaging means comprises a clutch mechanism for coupling said first driving means to said first driven gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said first drive means includes a second driven gear and means for driving said gear wherein said clutch mechanism engages said first and second driven gears.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said first driven gear includes a plurality of grooves and said second driven gear includes a plurality of jaws for engaging said grooves when said first and second driven gears are engaged by said clutch mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said second driving means comprises: a. a cam mounted on said first driven gear; b. a plurality of switch means positioned around said first driven gear, said switch means being actuable upon alignment with said cam; c. a motor means; and d. electromagnetic clutch means for operatively connecting said first driven gear to said motor means whereby said motor means rotates said first gear means to reset said predetermined position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said first driven gear is operatively connected to said motor by a shaft coupled to said first driven gear and aligned with the axis thereof and means coupling said shaft to said electromagnetic clutch means.